Over a hundred representatives from provincial veterinary offices (PVOs), local government units (LGUs), and national government agencies (NGAs) have participated in this year’s National Livestock and Poultry Summit in Cordova, Cebu to discuss pressing issues in the industry, October 10, 2024.
Organized by the Department of Agriculture (DA) through the Office of the Undersecretary for Livestock, the National Livestock Program (NLP) and its attached offices, and the Philippine Council for Agriculture and Fisheries (PCAF), the Summit became a platform for discussions on the performance of the Philippine animal and feeds subsectors, regulations concerning the livestock and poultry trade, initiatives against animal diseases, as well as various government programs to support the country’s livestock and poultry industry.
In 2019, the Philippine animal industry as it struggled against the devastating impacts of the outbreak of transboundary animal diseases, particularly African Swine Fever (ASF) and Avian Influenza (AI). This, coupled with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, international conflicts, agricultural smuggling, and inflation in goods and production costs, had caused massive losses to the industry.
While the country’s livestock and poultry subsectors are already recovering, the National Livestock and Poultry Summit aims to further strengthen the Philippine animal industry and improve government response through the sharing of knowledge and experiences among provincial veterinarians and representatives from LGUs and NGAs nationwide.
“Ako po ay nagagalak na ang DA, under the leadership of our good Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel Jr., ay developmental ang gustong gawin. Nandito po tayong lahat sa Summit dahil lahat ng problema, dapat po nating pag-usapan para sa bayan natin, para sa DA, at lalong-lalo na sa livestock industry. May mga gagawin po tayong policies and programs para ma-evade na po ang ganitong mga pangyayari,” said DA Undersecretary for Livestock Deogracias Victor B. Savellano.
The DA official also presented several plans to further boost the livestock and poultry industry, namely the establishment of a Cold Examination Facility in Agriculture (CEFA) and rendering plant in Cebu, the drafting of a biosecurity and surveillance program covering all species in collaboration with LGUs, the development of the Philippine feeds industry, and the setting up of nucleus farms at least in every province to improve animal stocks and provide quality produce to locals.
Meanwhile, the Summit also featured an exhibit and bazaar of livestock and poultry products courtesy of the DA-Philippine Carabao Center (PCC) and the Arapal Livelihood Center. ### (Krystelle Ymari A. Vergara, DA-AFID)
